The 31st Conference of the International Input-Output Association, one of the world’s largest conferences in the field of economic research, has kicked off at Villa College.
A total of 196 delegates from 38 countries will be attending the conference until Friday. Around 88 delegates are university students.
Over 150 papers will be presented across 8 parallel sessions, covering a wide range of themes related to input-output analysis and modelling.
"As the largest conference of its kind ever hosted in the Maldives, and the IIOA's first return to South Asia in decades, it serves as a pivotal moment for stimulating the worldwide exchange of ideas in input-output analysis and its related methods," Villa College said.
Speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony, MMA Governor Ahmed Munawar stressed the importance of conducting economic research for the economy and the future of developing small island countries.
The conference features three prominent keynote speakers during its plenary sessions.
- Professor Robert Koopman, Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer at American University's School of International Service
- Professor Jing Meng from the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction at University College London
- Mahinthan Joseph Mariasingham, Principal Statistician and Project Officer at the Asian Development Bank
Special events such as 'Young Researchers Night' and 'Flash Presentation' will be held to showcase the research skills of the youth.
The conference will present the prestigious Leontief Memorial Prize for the best paper by young authors under 40.
Authors must submit unpublished work combining theory and application, with the winning paper automatically considered for publication in Economic Systems Research. Winners receive certificates and a monetary prize of USD 1,000.
